| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign will look a lot different than his 2017 one, he says. "I made some structural mistakes as I looked at the governor's race then, relying only on the chairs and the structure that exists from the top down. And it was a little bit outside my comfort zone at that point, but I was convinced — and convinced myself simultaneously — that that's probably the only way to do it, and it was a mistake," Fulop told POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi in a wide-ranging interview. Seven years ago, when Fulop was at some points arguably the gubernatorial frontrunner, he traveled the state making connections with party bosses. Now, he says, he’s focusing on spending the next two-and-a-half years building grassroots support for his candidacy. Of course, he’s already got the commitment of Hudson County Democrats for the party line there (though as far as I know no Brian Stack or Bob Menendez endorsement). And it’s not like he’ll reject the lines if they come to him. Read the interview, in which Fulop also delves into some policy specifics, here. My analysis: A cynical observer might see eschewing the party support as a move determined by necessity rather than choice. Back in 2017, Fulop was widely seen as the North Jersey alternative to Steve Sweeney, at least until Phil Murphy upset those calculations. Going forward, North Jersey Democratic county parties could be more fractured between people like Mikie Sherrill, Josh Gottheimer, Craig Coughlin and Ras Baraka, while South Jersey will likely coalesce behind Sweeney. But whatever the motive, the Fulop I knew as a cub reporter was a rebel who took pleasure in upsetting the powers that be of the Hudson County Democratic machine, who knew the new gentrified demographic of downtown Jersey City and how to ride it to power. He looked a lot different from Mayor Fulop, who became one of the key people pulling the strings and making the arrangements. It will be fun to watch if he returns to his old council habits. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A moment of silence is definitely not in order” — State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon on the death of Jerry Springer during a budget hearing Thursday HAPPY BIRTHDAY —Doug Fisher. Saturday for Rodney Frelinghuysen, Rich DiCriscio, Brendan Deal, George Tibbett. Sunday for Roy Freiman. WHERE’S MURPHY? At Rowan for a vet school dedication ceremony at 11 a.m.
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WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT STROKE? — “That doctor treating you is making $15 an hour. Rutgers residents rally for higher wages,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “ The unionized residents say they cannot cover their most basic bills on those wages. They are also asking for their medical insurance to cover mental health services since many say they are worked to exhaustion. ‘We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our basic well-being to complete our residency at Rutgers,’ said Dr. Ali Cooper, a Rutgers resident. ‘We should be able to care for ourselves and our families, but as it stands, we are burning out in order to keep our hospitals running.’ … Medical residents hope they can land as good a deal. Their four-year contract expired in June. The current minimum wage in New Jersey for most employees is $14.13, and will rise to $15 in 2024.”
THE SECRET GARDEN STATE — “Lags in criminal justice reporting raise reformers’ concerns about transparency,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “When New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin expanded the mandatory disclosure of law enforcement disciplinary records last fall, he said such public reporting would provide transparency that’s 'fundamental to ensuring confidence in the work of law enforcement.' Five months later, his office has yet to issue its annual report on major discipline levied on New Jersey’s law enforcement in 2022. Last year, the report was released in February. A spokesman attributed the lag to 'vetting' officials are doing to ensure information police agencies submitted meets all requirements. But critics say the report’s delay isn’t unusual for an office that promises transparency — but doesn’t always deliver. ‘We have pretty extreme secrecy in this state, and the type of information we are able to access, largely, is statistics and reports. Keeping the public from seeing even that minimal amount of transparency is a broken promise,’ said attorney CJ Griffin.” TWO-PAC — "RWJBarnabas CEO, lobbyist, are the only funders of new health care PAC," by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: "RWJBarnabas President and CEO Mark Manigan and Vice President for Government Affairs Christopher James are the only donors to the 'Making a Difference' PAC, which is registered with the Election Law Enforcement Commission and Federal Election Commission. Registering with those two agencies allows the political action committee to spend in state and federal elections." BENCHED — “How backlogs in NJ courts — fueled by judicial vacancies — are delaying civil cases,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “Stephanie Frangos Hagan has been practicing family law in Morristown since 1986. What she and other attorneys across New Jersey are seeing now is what she called the 'worst backlog I've seen in my entire career' of legal cases. Trial dates have been set months away — and even years — for people trying to resolve their differences and secure divorces … ‘Just imagine for a minute having to live in the same house with your children with your spouse, who you're divorcing’ Hagan said … The delays are due in large part to an extensive backlog of cases. The backlog, which currently stands at more than 75,000 cases statewide, according to the state courts system, is the result of a judicial system still playing catch-up after the pandemic. New Jersey is also contending with a historic number of vacancies on judicial benches.” —“President of N.J.’s most influential cannabis trade group steps down to take on new role” —“Labor commissioner gets friendly reception in budget committee, a turnaround from years past” —Opinion: “NJ's governor needs to support Armenian-Americans” —“NJ pitches faster, cheaper way to bring power from offshore wind farms” —“N.J. Right To Life-sponsored poll finds nuanced opinions on abortion” —“Gopal is new chair of AAPI Legislative Caucus” —Steinberg: “By defending Tucker Carlson, Bill Spadea crosses even Republican NJ redline” | | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
COMMA, HALF STOP — “A Phil Murphy White House? Gov says don't bet on it, but won't rule out a future in DC,” by NBC 4’s Brian Thompson: “Almost halfway through his state constitutionally limited second term, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy admits he has his eye on the finish line – but amid speculation about his future, he does not see a White House in the distance. 'I don’t see it. I’m 65 and I don’t think, to each his own and for this guy, I’m good with doing what I’m doing, which is my nose pressed against the Jersey glass and running for the tape,' Murphy said in an exclusive one-on-one interview with NBC New York. While denying for the first time publicly any presidential ambition post-President Joe Biden, he didn’t slam the door on D.C. entirely. A job as part of an administration could in the cards. ‘I would never say never, but literally have not given one speck of thought when we are done here,’ Murphy said.”
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MO HILL — Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, tried to re-enroll in the pension system under the law I dubbed the “Get Dana Redd a Better Pension Act of 2018.” But since Hill’s name isn’t Dana Redd, he didn’t qualify. Or actually, it was because the law’s enactment required officials to have at least 15 years of service on January 16, 2018, according to the ruling, and Hill was a little shy of that. He also missed the 180-day window to apply, the court ruled. The law was written that way because it was specifically tailored to apply to Redd, the former Camden mayor who days before the law was signed boosted her pension with a $275,000 job, then moved on to even greener pastures, although a handful of other elected officials did qualify. Read the appellate court decision here. I wonder if this will become an issue in Hill’s June primary race.
THE RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM & BAILEY COUNCIL — “'What a disaster!': Paterson council holds raucous meeting that lasts more than nine hours,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “They started with a prayer before sunset on Tuesday and ended in exhaustion as sunrise approached on Wednesday. Nine hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds — that’s how long the Paterson City Council took this week to get through its meeting that included: 22 ordinances. 34 resolutions. Numerous prolonged speeches. Innumerable personal attacks. For a governing body notorious for meetings that routinely drag on for many hours, the marathon that stretched from 7 p.m. on Tuesday until after 4 a.m. on Wednesday set new standards for endurance and verbosity. No other council meeting in Paterson in the past 12 years had gone on for so long. ‘What a disaster!’ said Councilman Alex Mendez. ‘This is ridiculous.’” BUSES WILL NO LONGER STOP AT 82ND STREET — “Freehold Regional to vote on cutting busing for nearly 3,000 students,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “Nearly 3,000 Monmouth County high school students would no longer be bused to school if a proposal to reduce transportation funding is approved Thursday night by the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) Board of Education. The board, which oversees six high schools serving eight communities, plans to adopt its 2023-2024 district budget on Thursday. It’s expected to include a $3.6 million reduction in transportation funding. That reduction would eliminate so-called 'courtesy busing,' which currently provides transportation to 9,300 FRHSD students.” IT MEANS THEY’LL VOTE IN APRIL — “Lodi moves school elections back to April. Here's what it means for voters,” by The Record’s Megan Burrow and Kristie Cattafi: “The borough's school district has shifted its board election date back to April, a decade after it moved it to November to coincide with the general election. A walk-on resolution approved by the school board Wednesday night said the change was for 'purposes of achieving greater efficiency in voter turnout.' But after Lodi moved its school board election to November in 2013, voter participation increased significantly. In the last April election in 2012, voter turnout was 7.44% with the highest vote-getter receiving 577 votes. In November 2013, a year with a gubernatorial race, voter turnout jumped to 36.46% overall and 32.99%. for the school board” POLITICS IS A FOWL BUSINESS — “Why'd South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter's chicken bill cross the line for Vineland?” by The Courier-Post’s Joseph P. Smith: “A squabble between the city and the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter over a $6,300 bill for taking care of almost four dozen confiscated chickens is coming to a court-assisted close. The City Council this week agreed to pay $4,000 to the local animal shelter, which has a contract with it through the rest of this year. The sum is a compromise reached after three hearings in Superior Court and two mediation sessions, according the city. The 49 birds were seized by police in June 2021. By contract, the shelter gets $20 per day, per animal. The city says the birds' stay lasted about 12 days … The animal shelter filed a debt collection action against Vineland in state court in October 2021.’ —“Mom who lost 3 sons to guns helps Newark unveil new plan to curb violence” —“Former Westwood BOE members concerned about school board's LGBTQ comments” —“Is the 15-year affordable housing fight in Wall nearing its end?” —“Zitt & Turner feud heats up as the 2 North Hudson mayors trade punches over fire dept.” | | | | HAPPENING NEXT WEEK! GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from May 1-4. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
VALLI ALSO NAMED HONORARY MAYOR OF MUNCHKINLAND — “Jersey boy Frankie Valli gets his own ‘Way’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Strunsky: “In a ceremony at the housing complex Thursday morning attended by the 60′s and 70′s pop icon and about 50 fans, local officials renamed a city street Frankie Valli Way. ‘This is something I will remember for the rest of my life,’ said Valli, 88 ... ‘Newark will always have a place in my heart.’”
THE 2,000TH STORE WILL BE IN MAHWAH — “Wawa opens its 1,000th convenience store, and it’s in N.J.” by Bill Duhart for NJ.com: “Wawa opened its 1,000th convenience store Thursday in Oaklyn, New Jersey. The milestone came with sparklers, Eagles cheerleaders, a pep band and more. ‘It’s so appropriate that we are reaching our 1,000th-store milestone in New Jersey, where we have such a deep history with our origins as a family business and roots dating back more than 200 years,’ said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s CEO” —“A cry for help: A N.J. teen needed a therapist. He had to jump off a bridge to get one” —“Bayonne foundation named for fatal crash victims is looted in online help desk scam” —“Bendix Diner owner is subject of documentary to be shown this week”
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